Author Talk – Annie Zaleski on her new Beyoncé book
In this installment of 360°Sound’s long-running Author Talk series, contributor Alex Beene sits down with acclaimed Cleveland-based music journalist Annie Zaleski to discuss her latest book, Beyoncé: The Stories Behind the Songs. From “Crazy in Love” to Cowboy Carter, the two explore Beyoncé’s artistic evolution—from her early days with Destiny’s Child to her genre-blending masterpieces and cultural influence across nearly three decades.
Alex Beene: Beyoncé’s been breaking down the lines between musical genres for a long time. What were your takeaways in that regard, going through her eras?
Annie Zaleski: I love this question because you’re 100% right. What’s most fascinating to me is that I’ve been following Beyoncé since Destiny’s Child—I was the person watching TRL in the late ’90s—and I’ve really seen her grow up. Everyone knows her singles, but when you dig into her albums, the breadth and depth of genres she covers are incredible. She’s never been just one thing. People often categorize her as R&B or soul or hip-hop, but she’s always followed her muse and whatever she wants to be at any given time. You hear gospel, funk, rock, techno, dance—it’s all there. She’s always marched to the beat of her own drummer and is a real visionary. I don’t think she gets the full credit she deserves. When you look at her catalog, she should be considered alongside the greats like Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin for her versatility.
There was a recent Rolling Stone list ranking top singles from the last 25 years, and “Crazy in Love” was near the top. Was that her big turning point as a solo artist?
I think she’s had many turning points, but “Crazy in Love” was definitely the first. It used an old-school retro sample that was so striking for its time. Now everyone does that, but when that song came out, it was different. It showed she could operate on her own. When she started doing visual albums like Beyoncé and Lemonade, that was another turning point. Early in her career, she was focused on proving herself commercially, but later she began treating albums as ambitious cinematic projects. Now she’s creating art for art’s sake.
Around the mid-to-late 2000s, Beyoncé did big-budget movies like Dreamgirls and earned a Golden Globe nomination. Do you think that acting experience influenced her later visual albums?
Absolutely. Portraying figures like Etta James really changed her. Acting gave her emotional nuance and storytelling tools. You can see that in her visual albums—they’re not just collections of videos but fully realized cinematic works. As she grew more confident as an actress, that confidence infused her music. For her, film and music feed each other beautifully.
When she surprise-released her self-titled album in 2013, it felt like she was reviving the art of the album rather than just chasing singles. What was your take on that?
That move was revolutionary. She dropped a full album and visuals with unexpected collaborators like Boots and Caroline Polachek. The production was intricate and experimental, and it balanced artistry with chart success. Songs like “Drunk in Love” and “Pretty Hurts” were massive, but the whole project worked as a statement about who she was—an artist entering a new, fearless chapter.
Since then, she’s clearly focused less on singles. Do you think she even cares about chart positions anymore?
Maybe a little, but not much. If you look at Cowboy Carter, she still delivers hits—”Texas Hold ’Em” went #1 globally—but she’s following her own priorities now: authenticity and impact. She’s using her platform to elevate others and make art that matters socially and politically. That’s far more important to her legacy than radio singles.
Let’s talk Lemonade. It’s still considered one of her most powerful albums—and one of the most controversial Grammy snubs ever. Some speculated it was about her marriage. What’s your take revisiting that era?
It’s fascinating. People assumed it was autobiographical, but some songwriters have said otherwise. Beyoncé never confirmed the narrative, which makes it even more compelling. She’s brilliant at blending personal and universal storytelling. Like Madonna, she evolved from pop star to sophisticated conceptual artist. Lemonade gave her the freedom to take creative risks that only an artist at her level could.
Around that same time, she made bold sociopolitical statements through performances like “Formation” at the Super Bowl. Do you think that reflected her personal politics or something larger about American culture?
Both. That performance was stunning. Beyoncé’s political expression is often through art, not speeches. Even releasing a country album as a Black woman is a political act. On Renaissance, she collaborated with queer and trans artists and gave platforms to voices that deserve more recognition. She’s walking the walk, and that’s powerful.
Speaking of Renaissance, I’ll admit I initially underrated it. But seeing it live changed my mind. Her music has aged incredibly well. What makes her catalog so timeless?
It’s her refusal to chase trends. Every album is rooted in authenticity but pushes boundaries. Her production and songwriting are so well-crafted that they age gracefully. When you revisit Renaissance or Lemonade, they sound as fresh as ever. She’s spent 25 years building a body of work that’s cohesive, brave, and timeless.
And now the Cowboy Carter era comes with all the country controversy. What do you make of it?
It’s exhausting. Beyoncé grew up in Texas—she’s always loved country music. The backlash is racist and dismissive. Cowboy Carter blends gospel, soul, and hip-hop into country in ways that show her mastery. She’s redefining American music, but people resist that because it challenges old norms.
For fans, one era often overlooked is 4. There’s debate about whether “Run the World (Girls)” was the right lead single. What’s your view?
I love that song, but it was a risky choice for a single. The hook isn’t as immediately catchy, and at that time, singles mattered more than ever. “Love on Top” or “Countdown” might’ve been better choices, but 4 still showed her shifting focus toward albums as cohesive works. Looking back, you can see her move away from chart-driven releases and into full creative control.
Alright, the hardest question—your favorite Beyoncé song?
That’s impossible! But I’ll say “Radio” from I Am… Sasha Fierce has always been special to me. I also love “Blow” and “Break My Soul.” I tend to prefer album tracks over singles, because they show more depth. Honestly, my favorite changes every day.
Annie Zaleski’s Beyoncé: The Stories Behind the Songs offers an intimate, thoughtful look at one of music’s most dynamic and genre-defying artists. It’s now available worldwide, wherever books are sold. Buy it on bookshop.org and support local book retailers.
Check out the entire unedited, unvarnished interview with Annie Zaleski on our YouTube channel, @360degreesound:
